Rebecca Gallant: Volunteers & Rock n’ Roll

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the wonderfully rockin’ Rebecca Gallant…

If you’ve ever considered volunteering for a music festival, Rebecca Gallant is a good example of why you should. Festival Crew Manager of North By Northeast, Rebecca began as a volunteer cashier, then moved on to stage manager, and now handles a crew that grows year by year for one of the largest festivals in North America. She organizes, schedules, and troubleshoots all with a friendly smile - and even takes time to answer a few of our shameless questions.

What drives you to do what you do?

I fell into Volunteer Management completely by accident. I started volunteering for the North By Northeast music festival when I was just getting out of high school and completely fell in love with it. I worked my way up through the ranks and eventually was brought on to festival staff in my current position. I am constantly inspired by the individuals who dedicate their time and skills on a volunteer basis. The enthusiasm of volunteers drives me to continue to make their experiences as positive and as beneficial to their career goals as possible.

How does being a woman empower / challenge you?

I was brought up being taught that we are all equals. Male or female, it didn’t matter… If you wanted something badly enough and were willing to do whatever you needed to do to get it, you could achieve anything.

What advice would you give to young women who want to follow in your footsteps?

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by putting your foot in the door and gaining any sort of education/experience as you can possibly get. I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t started out this way.

Name one person, place, or thing every young woman should know about?

My mother. She is the most patient, understanding, motivated, intelligent woman I know. I honestly think that everyone in the world could benefit by knowing her.

What is the most important thing we can do in order to change the world?

It sounds cheesy, but I honestly believe in the “treat people the way you want to be treated” motto. If everyone followed this, the world would be a completely different place.